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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

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Happiness

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I had no thought of violets of late, The wild, shy kind that spring beneath your feetIn wistful April days, when lovers mateAnd wander through the fields in raptures sweet. The thought of violets meant florists’ shops, And bows and pins, and perfumed papers fine;

I wandered lonely as a Cloud That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden Daffodils;Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

The periodic pleasureof small happeningsis upon us—behind the stallsat the farmer’s marketsnow glinting in heaps,a cardinal its chestpuffed out, bloodshodabove the piles of awnings,passion’s proclivities;you picking up a sweet potatoturning to me ‘

Leisure, thou goddess of a bygone age, When hours were long and days sufficed to hold Wide-eyed delights and pleasures uncontrolledBy shortening moments, when no gaunt presageOf undone duties, modern heritage, Haunted our happy minds; must thou withhold Thy presence

The things that one grows tired of—O, be sureThey are only foolish artificial things!Can a bird ever tire of having wings?And I, so long as life and sense endure,(Or brief be they!) shall nevermore inureMy heart to the recurrence of the springs,Of gray dawns, the gracious